Green chemicals bloom in May

It’s that time of the month to check out some newly launched green-hot chemical products. More environment- and health-friendly plastics continue to be developed; the solar energy and hybrid transportation markets are getting new technology boosts; and in between are air pollution control and new water treatment technologies.

1. Honeywell’s solar shield - It is not natural or renewable based but Honeywell’s UV-, moisture- and weather-resistant PowerShield PV325 does protects photovoltaic modules — including critical components that convert sunlight into electricity — in all types of environments.

2. PlastiPure’s healthy plastic – Austin, Texas-based PlastiPure said it has developed the first plastic bottles completely free of estrogenic activity. The company’s first product line includes 4 oz. to 32 oz. polyethylene or polypropylene bottles.

3. ExxonMobil’s new films – ExxonMobil Chemical and its Japanese affiliate Tonen Chemical launched their co-extruded separator films for hybrid and electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. The films are said to improve battery safety and performance. You might ask if this product is within the context of green chemicals but you be the judge!
4. Biotherm plastic-based oil - Swiss company Biotherm Technologie now offers a process that can produce diesel fuel and heating oil from used plastics and waste or bilge oil. The company expects Japan’s commercial shipping fleet as a potential big market for the technology.5. SABIC’s non-halogenated plastic – SABIC Innovative Plastics introduced last month its EFR 735 film, the company’s first thermoplastic film made without the use of brominated or chlorinated flame-retardants.

6. PolyOne packaging system - PolyOne introduced its PlanetPak packaging system for environment-friendly packaging of color and additive concentrates. The system is said to offer sustainability and economic benefits over traditional steel-rimmed fiber drums.

7. RG Global’s water treatment - RG Global launched its first plant that uses ion exchange technology to treat discharge water from coal bed methane (CBM) wells. The technology is said to resolve the problem of disposing massive volumes of contaminated CBM produced water without depleting groundwater supplies or harming the surrounding environment or water bodies. It also reduces treatment cost by 50%, the company said.

8. Solvay’s air solution - Solvay Chemical’s new sodium bicarbonate-based SOLVAir Select 300 is said to be specifically designed for use in air pollution control applications particularly the treatment of sulfur dioxide. Solvay plans to built a 125,000 tonnes/year plant to manufacture the product in Wyoming.